About this Event
“... a folk gem that improves with each listen...his music wouldn’t be out of place on a modern rock playlist next to John Mayer or Dave Matthews.” Texas Music Magazine
“Shawn Pander has a great voice and [Simplicity] is a great song” – Ahmet Ertegun - AOL’s “The Biz”
"No broken arrows... Shawn’s aim as a writer is stunningly true and his soulful voice sends his words straight through the heart."
-Kimmie Rhodes
Texan born singer-songwriter Shawn Pander has an appeal to his roots-pop
acoustic narratives that was come by honestly. A deep appreciation for his
own soulful upbringing has given him the empathy to connect with listeners
in a sincere and direct way. Pander’s blues-jazz-influenced songs strike
deeply and precisely, provoking the same type of authentic emotional
experience achieved lyrically by some of music’s greatest storytellers.
In fact, he was destined to tell a good story. Pander’s musical journey began
as a five-year-old boy. While keeping his father company at work— a used
car lot on the outskirts of Houston— Shawn befriended an elderly blues man
they called Homeless James, who played guitar along the sidewalk. An odd
couple they were, as James dealt young Shawn a strong and very real dose
of true Americana roots music. Eventually the business “went under” so
Shawn went to say goodbye to his unlikely mentor and that fateful last
encounter set him on a lifelong journey as a musician. “If I’m not going to see
you again, you’ll need this,” James said, selflessly handing over his beloved
Yamaha SG75 guitar. Now, decades later, Shawn’s strives to honor the story
that started with James. He still writes most all of his material on that old
guitar and has changed nothing except its strings. And old Homeless James
would be so very proud.
In 2006 Pander released his debut album, Memories 4 Sale. Tracks from the
album were spun regularly in a dozen different AAA, Hot AC and Country
markets, immediately breaking him onto the national airwaves. His first
single release, “Tell Mama”, gained him the full support of the Veterans of
Foreign Wars Organization and can still be heard on USA military base radio
stations across the country.
Shawn’s music attracted national media attention, earning critical acclaim
from such publications as Texas Music Magazine, which called his record,
“a folk-gem that improves with each listen” going on to say, “his music
wouldn’t be out of place on a modern rock playlist next to John Mayer or
Dave Matthews.”
Pander has appeared on nationally televised programs Fearless Music TV
(FOX) and the 30-minute documentary Behind the Lyrics. He also performed
on The Dr. Phil Show, after which he sold 3,000 albums in two days through
his own website. In 2008 he not only won the John Lennon Songwriting
Contest Grand Prize in the folk category but was also recognized as a Nokia
Featured Artist.
In 2009 Hub City Music released some of Pander's sessions that had been
recorded across the US on a limited-edition EP titled “Claire,” each
individually numbered with hand printed liner notes. (Streaming online and
on terrestrial radio “Claire” can now be purchased exclusively through
Panders website and at his performances.)
In December of 2009 Shawn received the very prestigious ASCAP Harold
Adamson Lyric Award which celebrates the most talented and promising
young songwriters in the "pop" category. Along with the honor of accepting
the award, Pander was also invited to perform his song "Tell Mama" at The
Lincoln Center during the awards program.
Pander’s 2013 release, “BLACK and WHITE”, was followed by the single,
"This Side of the Dirt," and became the theme song to “Tito Beveridge,” Tito's
Handmade Vodka’s sold-out play, staged at the Scottish Rite Theatre. His
various record production credits include “Making Space” an album released
by L.A. based singer, Hannah Ascher.
Today, Shawn resides in Austin, Texas where he has just completed his new
album, “Forever and For Now” which features eleven songs penned and
produced by himself and Gabriel Rhodes. It is slated for release soon
beginning with a waterfall of singles that will be available for listening across
all streaming platforms. Downloads will be available on his website and a
special limited-edition vinyl will be available for purchase at his promotional
performances.
He has also joined fellow songwriters, Kimmie Rhodes, Johnny Goudie and
Gabriel Rhodes to form “Austin’s new feel-good band” — Happyland. A debut
single by that same title featuring a duet with Pander and Rhodes WAS
release on September 17 with shows to follow, including The Rockport Music
Festival (that honors the birthday of legendary songwriter Guy Clark) and
also Austin’s annual Armadillo Christmas Bazaar.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Saxon Pub 2024, 1320 S Lamar, Austin, United States
USD 19.43
